Colossians 1 · Verse 19

Colossians 1:19

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Colossians 1:19, King James Version

Colossians 1:19 in other translations

BSB	For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
WEB	For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him,
ASV	For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;
YLT	because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,
DARBY	for in him all the fulness of theGodhead was pleased to dwell,
BBE	For God in full measure was pleased to be in him;
Webster	For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

What does Colossians 1:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

19. Greek, "(God) was well pleased," &c. in him--that is, in the Son (Mt 3:17). all fulness--rather as Greek, "all the fulness," namely, of God, whatever divine excellence is in God the Father (Col 2:9; Ep 3:19; compare Joh 1:16; 3:34). The Gnostics used the term "fulness," for the assemblage of emanations, or angelic powers, coming from God. The Spirit presciently by Paul warns the Church, that the true "fulness" dwells in Christ alone. This assigns the reason why Christ takes precedence of every creature (Col 1:15). For two reasons Christ is Lord of the Church: (1) Because the fulness of the divine attributes (Col 1:19) dwells in Him, and so He has the power to govern the universe; (2) Because (Col 1:20) what He has done for the Church gives Him the right to preside over it. should ... dwell--as in a temple (Joh 2:21). This indwelling of the Godhead in Christ is the foundation of the reconciliation by Him [Bengel]. Hence the "and" (Col 1:20) connects as cause and effect the two things, the Godhead in Christ, and the reconciliation by Christ.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 19. For it pleased the Father. The words, "the Father," are not in the original, but they are not improperly supplied. Some word must be understood; and as the apostle, in Col 1:12, referred to "the Father" as having a claim to the thanks of his people for what he had done, and as the great favour for which they ought to be thankful is that which he immediately specifies the exaltation of Christ---it is not improper to suppose that this is the word to be understood here. The meaning is, that he chose to confer on his Son such a rank, that in all things he might have the preeminence, and that there might be in him "all fulness." Hence, by his appointment, he was the agent in creation, and hence he is placed over all things as the head of the church.

That in him should all fulness dwell. That in him there should be such dignity, authority, power, and moral excellence as to be fitted to the work of creating the world, redeeming his people, and supplying everything needful for their salvation. On the word fulness, Jn 1:14, Jn 1:16. Comp. Rom 11:12; Rom 11:25; Gall 4:4; Eph 1:23; Eph 3:19; Col 2:9. This is to us a most precious truth. We have a Saviour who is in no respect deficient in wisdom, power, and grace to redeem and save us. There is nothing necessary to be done in our salvation which he is not qualified to do; there is nothing which we need to enable us to perform our duties, to meet temptation, and to bear trial, which he is not able to impart. In no situation of trouble and danger will the church find that there is a deficiency in him; in no enterprise to which she can put her hands will there be a lack of power in her great Head to enable her to accomplish what he calls her to. We may go to him in all our troubles, weaknesses, temptations, and wants, and may be supplied from his fullness--just as, if we were thirsty, we might go to an ocean of pure water and drink.

(e) "in Him should" Jn 1:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell - As the words, the Father are not in the text, some have translated the verse thus: For in him it seemed right that all fullness should dwell; that is, that the majesty, power, and goodness of God should be manifested in and by Christ Jesus, and thus by him the Father reconciles all things to himself. The πληρωμα, or fullness, must refer here to the Divine nature dwelling in the man Christ Jesus.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 1:15-23

Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the eternity of God is represented to us. All things…

Read the full comment on Colossians 1:15-23 →

Colossians 1:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotibecauseG3754

ἐνeninG1722

αὐτῷautōHimG846

εὐδόκησενeudokēsenwas pleasedG2106

πᾶνpanallG3956

τὸtotheG3588

πλήρωμαplērōmafullnessG4138

κατοικῆσαιkatoikēsaito dwellG2730

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:19

Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
John 1:16
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Ephesians 1:23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Colossians 2:3
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
John 3:34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 4:10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Matthew 11:25-27
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2:3,9; 3:11; Mt 11:25-27; Lu 10:21; Joh 1:16; 3:34; Eph 1:3,23; 4:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:19 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por cuanto agradó al Padre que en él habitase toda plenitud,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car, en lui, toute la plénitude s’est plu à habiter,
German Elberfelder 1871	denn es war das Wohlgefallen der ganzen Fülle, in ihm zu wohnen
Latin Clementine Vulgate	quia in ipso complacuit, omnem plenitudinem inhabitare: